Cerebrovascular Stroke and the Protection of Untreated Thyroid Disorder

The endocrine system is remarkable. Controlling our physiological function, without a proper endocrine system, many individuals suffer from abnormal complications that can lead to diabetes, cardiovascular disease and even obesity.

For adults who suffer from complications involving thyroid disorders, the underlying endocrine system can adversely affect cardiovascular health. In fact, even mild thyroid disorders can lead to the development of atherosclerosis with aging. When atherosclerosis develops, the elderly adult is at a greater risk for complications involving stroke, heart attack and even arrhythmia.

In some healthcare settings, however, there are elderly patients with a history of mild thyroid dysfunction who notice an increase in their health, especially in terms of cardiac health. Without treating a mild thyroid disorder, and when elevated TSH levels are found, there may be some protective benefit to the cardiovascular system. For some elderly adults, therefore, it may be prudent to defer treatment for a thyroid disorder if the thyroid dysfunction is not significant.

For patients who experience a stroke, the health benefits of elevated TSH levels are more evident. Because a stroke affects the neurological system as well as the central nervous system, elderly adults rely heavily upon their healthcare team to manage these complications after a stroke. While some physicians believe a thyroid complication may attribute to a cardiac event, it has been the reverse in stroke patients. Without treatment to the TSH levels, stroke patients with an undiagnosed thyroid complication often realize better recovery results than patients with thyroid treatments.

It is believed that because hypothyroidism can lead to malaise and fatigue, with a slowed metabolic system, the stroke patient may be more apt to respond slowly to stress or appear more relaxed in stressful situations. Because a stroke is a highly stressful event, thyroid disorder may actually protect the stroke patient from further adverse cardiac complications. In addition, because hypothyroidism may promote lower glucose levels, the stress levels are also reduced, thereby promoting recovery and health after a stroke.

For many adults with thyroid disorders, there is a need to manage the thyroid complication so as to prevent the long term impact associated with the development of secondary diseases. In the case of thyroid dysfunction, however, if the condition was not diagnosed prior to a cardiac event, such as a stroke, treatment after a cardiac event may need to be re-considered. Because mild hypothyroidism, that is untreated, results in a general low response to stress, cardiac patients may actually realize some benefit to missing treatment of a thyroid complication.